Telegraph transmitter



Nov. 13, 1945.

M. T. GOETZ TELEGRAPH TRANSMITTER INVENTOR Nov., 13, 1945. M. T. GoETz TELEGRAPH TRANSMITTER 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Feb, 7, 1944 lds INVENTOR MAURU T. GOETZ ATTORNEY Nov, '13, 19.45. M T GOE'rz 2,388,965

TELEGRAPH TRANSMITTER Filed Feb. 1, y1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Uilm Illw" INVENTOR- BY MAuRus 1'. soE-Tz K Jfa AT ORNEY Patented Nov. 13, 1945 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE I i i 2.388.965

TELEGRAPI'I TRANSMITTER Maurus T'. Goetz, chicago, in., assignor to 'reietype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application February 7, 1944, Serial No. 521,315

, die plates I6 andl I1, and which cooperate with a Claims.

The present invention relates to -feeding devices and more particularlyto strip advancingA mechanism operable according to a rectilinear action.l A I The principal object ofthe invention is to provide a more eilicien-t means forlmaintaining strip feeding instrumentalities ineffective cooperative relationship. Y Y y e *Y Another object of the invention is to provide a rectilinear feed mechanism wherein the operating elements are readily accessible for adjustment. e

A further object of the invention is .to provide a more durable structure capable of producing a rectilinear movement in the strip advancing instrumentalities of a record strip sensing unit.

The invention is described herein as embodied in a telegraph transmitter of the type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,262,012', issued November v111,

1941, to R. A. Lake. The tape feeding mechanism according to the present invention introduces an adjustment by means of which the feeding motion ofthe pins which engage the feedv holes in the tape can be varied overa wide range so that manufacturing variations can be ,can-

celled out. Also, so that the feeding stroke can. be adjustedto matchthe spacing. of the` feed? holes in the tape as determined by the adjustment of the' star wheel detent of the punchblok.

A more comprehensive understanding ofthe invention may be had from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a combi'n'ation reperforatorAv and transmitter embodyingy the presentinventio'n;

Fig. 2 is another viewofa partof the structure disclosed in Fig. l,` but showing the sensing unit displaced' from theperforator; c

' Fig. 3 is a plan view of the tape sensingportion of the device according to the present'invention;y

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on.. line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and y Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 illustrate-certain operational positions of the rectilinear Yfeed mechanism through which the perforated strip is advanced.:

Briefly; the structure ofthe afore-mentioned Lake patent, which exemplifies adevice to ,which the present invention is adapted, may be considered as including three principalA units;v namelyf a tape perferator I I,.a tape sensing unit I2, and a transmitting unit I.3. Each-ofr the.. several units ismounted on v ajbasecasting: I4'.

Perforator. II Y comprises a --set` of punches `I5 movable through openings in upper andl lower die plate I8. The plates I6 and I8 are spaced apart to form a tape guide, and the punchesl5 are selectively operated byuan actuating member rorpuncli hammer 'I9 underthe control of injournaled in a suitable bracket mounted on the base casting I4. Lever 24 carries atv its opposite end a cam roller (not shown) which cooperates with a .cam (not shown) to operate the hammer lcyclicallyand effect its operation and, therefore.- the operation of the punch pins I5. e d I Also` mounted o n lever -24 opposite to arm 23 is a second arm 25 which has an elongated pin 26 in alignment with a feed punch pin 21. Punch pinl 2-1 ,is partially enclosed in a'housing 28 which conceals a spring 29 arranged to subject punchv 2-1 to springtension and restore itV to its normal position. .Punch 21 is guided at its upper and lower extremities by rguide plates, and cooperates with a. die plate .31 `which4 is separatedfrom they upper punch'guide `plate to forma tape guide openingfor the tape 32. Punch'2'l serves'to apply to: tape 32, Athe feed holes in advance of the application'- of the vcode perforations by code punches I5. It isthu'sr seen thatv for each operato the" positionv shown in Fig'. 1 by spring 29 following the restorationof lever 24 to its posito shown in Fig. 1. e

, Theainterponent or permutation elements 2l are 4movable .back and forth over the face' .of hammer .,I9r vand are adapted to be positioned in different combinationstoplace the outer endsthereof, either? in operative positions beneath the corresponding punches I5 Yor in inoperative' positions out of alignment with punches I5. The free end ofA hammer I9 -is/upturned, which portion 4isfslotted .to-form channels or combs forv the? forward vend .of eachof the interponents 2| Upon each perinutative 'setting of lthe interponent 2|1,.lever 24 is oscillated and hammer I9 is moved about its pivot v22' toproduce a row of perfor-ations in tape T32 throughv theV actuations of punches I5 correspondingto' the setting of the interponents' 2|. Also.\fu'pon .the Voperation Yof arm 24,.e1ong'ated pin 26` will be actuated, and

secured thereto one end of a retractile spring 34, but, as disclosed, the punch pins I 5, are each pro-Y vided with a shoulder which cooperates with the lower surface of spring actuated stripper bail 33,1` j so that when the punches I5 are raised, the

stripper bail 33 will be moved about its Vvpivot 35 against the action of spring 34 and .without any binding action on the punches I5. .Whenhama mer I9 is returned to the position shown in Fig.

l, spring v34 is effective to withdraw the actuated code punches I5 and restore them to their normal unactuated position.

As previously described, for each operation of lever 24, punch 21 is operated to form a feed hole in the tape which is-thereby adapted to be engagedbyfthe feed .pins or teeth of a feed roller 36; The latter is provided with ratchet teeth 38 (Fig. 2) to be engaged by a feed pawl 31 which is pivotally attached to the hammer I9 and which is thus reciprocated on each operation of said hammer, as described more fully in the aforementioned Lake patent. Formed on the outside of the perforator frame and secured to an extension of feed roller 36 is a plate 39 provided with a cam portion 4 'I arranged to cooperate with an arm 42 formed on the feed pawl 31. Plate 39 isalso provided with an arm 43 which cooperates with a slot formed in a member 44 which is capable of being depressed to cause the rotation of plate 39 and through the coaction of portion 4I and extension 42 the withdrawal of feed pawl 31 from cooperation with the teeth of the ratchet 38". UThe feed roller 36 is thus free to be rotated in al1-.opposite direction to present a previously perforated row of perforations in alignment with the'code punches I5. To effect the reverse movement ofthe tape 32,2, spring tensioned lever 45 pivoted on the member cooperates with the stai-wheel 46.to back space the feed roller 36 and, in turn; back space the tape 32.

A spring 41 connected tothe lower extremity of the feed.pawl.31 servesto holdthe feed pawl inengagement with ythe ratchet teeth 38 of the feedzroller .36, and also normally holds the hammerfI9 against the adjustable sleeve 48. Wheny hammer .-I9`i's'moved in a clockwise direction by the` action of lever 24, the spring 41 is extended. Consequently, when the rotationof lever 24 is reversed, Vthe energy stored in spring 41 is released and the hammer I9 is restored to the position shown in Fig. 2. Feed pawl 31 will be actuated downwardly, and in being so moved, will rotate thefeed drum 36 to advance the tape 32 to present a succeedingarea thereofv in alignment with code punches I5. It is thus seen that upon each operation of hammer I9, feed drum 36 will be rotated and the tape 32 will be advanced step by step.

The interponents 2I are set in different combinations by a plurality of key levers 5I suitably mounted on a pivot rod (not shown) but normally upheld in raised position by `individual springs, the levers being provided at their forward end with keytops (not shown) Beneath the key levers 5I extend a Vnumber of code bars 52 and 53, and since in the form shown there are five interponents 2I,'a corresponding number of pairs ofcode bars are employed. Each pair comprises a bar 52 and 53, and each code bar is supported adjacent to each end by a rock arm 54, as fully described in the afore-'mentioned Lake patent. Each pair of rock arms 54 is pivoted to a longitudinally movable permutation bar 55. In the form disclosed, each bar 55 is connected to its individual lever 56,- kwhich is pivotally mounted on shaft 51 `and which atthe upper, end is connected to their interponents 2l; that is, intermediate each .bar 55 and its companion interponent 2I is a llever 56 so that for each movement of bar 55 corresponding movement is imparted to interponent2I.- Cooperating with the upper end of levers 56 which are beveled is a roller 58 secured to a` U-shaped member 60 pivoted on a rod 49 and urged into cooperation with the beveled end of each of the levers 56 by a spring 59. Rod 58 serves as a detent member for levers 56.

Each of the key levers 5I, which extend across the code bars 52 and 53, is arranged, when operated, to engage and 'depress one of the code bars of ach pair and therebyv set the same, and the permutation bars 55 and interponents 2| in a characteristic combination. Correspondingly, the'punches I5 Will be operated in the same characteristic combination upon the operation of hammer I9 through lever 24.

For effecting theoperation of the punches I5, includingthe interponents 2|, each key lever 5I is arranged to depress a universal bar (not shown) which controls the punch mechanism, as shown in Fig. 5 of the afore-mentioned Lake patent, and consequently, reference is made to which is operated by the universal bar upon theA depressionfofany of the key levers 5I.

- The sensing unit I2, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, includes two' side members 6I and 62. Side memberA 6I, as shown in Fig. 4, extends vertically and Vis provided at the upper end with a horizontal portion 63, and a reverted or dependin/g'portion 64. Member 62 is provided with a verticalportion 611which isdisposed adjacent the portion 64v and is spaced therefrom by a spacer barg65.- Member 62 is also provided with a horizontal portion 69l in the same plane with portion S3 of member 6I. Portions 64 and 61 of members 6I and 62, respectively, are weldedor riveted togetheri to form a rigid framework; and this framework-is'pivotally mounted on brackets 68 by meansy of pilot screws 66. Mounted on horizontal portions 63 and 69 is a tape guide plate 59 having a tape groove 60. Cooperating with said tape groove 60 to, suitably guide and retain the vtape isa cover plate 19 which is appropriately hingedhtov plate 59 at 18. Aspring means 19 is provided lfor latching cover plate-1li.v

i The sensing uni-t, as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, normally abuts the plates I6 and I8 of the perforator and has the entrance end of its tape channel in alignment with the exit end of the tape channel of the perforator. v

As viewed in Fig. 3, plate 59 is provided with a plurality' of apertures 1I Yto receive the reduced portionor end of a corresponding series of sensing-'pins 16; that "lis, there is a Vsensing pin 16 individual to eachof the code apertures adjacent to'tlie edge of plate 59. Inasmuch as there are've code punches I5, there will be a correspending-number ofsensing lingers 16, for example,I there will be a sensing finger or pin 16 foreach of the possible code perforations Yappearinglin a transverse row of perforations.

- The separation between the code punches I aiid'the apertures 10 in plate 59 when the 'plate 59 abuts the plates I6 and I8 corresponds t0 the normal spacing between successive transverse rows-of perforations in tape 32. Usually, the transverse rows of perforation's in tape 32 are one-'tenth of an inch apart, and therefore, the

punchesv |5 and the apertures in plate 59 are co1 respondingly separated.y p

'Intermediate the portions 6'4 and 61 of the frame members 6| and 62 and in the space de'- termined by thekspacer 65 is a slidably movable member 11 which carries on its upper extremity aplurality of tape feed pins 8|. Pins 8| (in the presen-t embodiment) are so spaced as to engage four' successive feed holes in the tape 32. The purpose of providing feed pins for simultaneously engaging four feed holes in the tape is to minimize the possibility of the feed perforations becoming mutiliated.

The rectilinear feed means, according to the present invention,- is comparable in action to that disclosed in the afore-men-tioned R. A. Lake patent, but instead of the pin and cam slot arrangement of the latter patent, a rectilinear feed means is provided whichcomprises a movable we'dging member.. a fixed member having a wedging surface, and a movable tape feed- -pin carrying member. The tape feed pin carrying member. also has a wedging surface thereon which, together with the wedging surface of said fixed member, cooperates with .the re'ciprocable movement of the Vwedging member, which is effective on both of said wedging surfaces simultaneously, to produce in combination with the reciprocable movement v.of said feed pin carrying member a rectilinear movement of the tape feed pins.V

Having reference to Fig. 1, a pin or Wcdging element 85 (whichis comparable to pin |3| of the structure of said Lake patent) is carried on the lever 86 (comparable to a lever |32 of the.

LakeV patent) and is reciprocable vertically by a cam 81,` Figs. 5 to 8 (similar to cam 205 of the Lake structure). The pin 85 cooperates with surface 88 of spacer 65. Arm 11 is reciprocated vertically by means of a cam 89 (similar to a cam 201 of the Lake structure). Of course, the peripheral contours of the cams for operating the arm 11 andV pin 85 are so chosen as to give thenproper rectilinear action.

The member or spacer 65 has two operating surfaces 88 and 9|. In addition, member 65 functions to space the two portions 64 and 61 of the frame apart to form a guide for the arm 11. The surface 9| of spacer 65 cooperates with the right-hand upper edge of arm 11 to form the rightfhand limit stop for feed pin arm 11. Arm 11 is biased toward this stop surface 9| at all times by springs 92, Figs. 2 and 5. Springs 92 are extendedbetweenportions 94 struck from the frame portions 63 and 69 and spring posts 90 on each side ofthe feed pin arm 11. The operating surface 88 of the spacer 65 and edge 96 of the tape feed operating arm 11 cooperate with the pin 85 which reciprocates vertically during the tape feeding operation, as will presently appear. The upper left-hand edge of the tape feed arm 11 indicated at 93 cooperates With an adjustable stop 95 as the pin 85 on the arm 86 is reciprocated downwardly, as will presently appear.

As will be described hereinafter, arms 11 and 86 areopera-ted in timed relation with each other. Arm is drawn downwardly and when so drawn and due to the particular interrelation 'between tnesurf'accs stances, member 11 unibe 'moved to tne `left as" viewed-'in Fig. 1., and relative mov@ nientibetween the sensing unit |2 and the tape 32 willbe effected. Member 11 then is moved downs Wardly' to with'dravvv the tape feed pins 8"! from" `.engagement with the feed perforations in the tape 32'.- As arm "n is tuus moved downwardly, arm 86 is also moved downwardlysimultaneously an additional amount to maintain lever 11 against stop '95, thereby insuring the vdownward movement or withdrawal of the tape feed pins in a straight line. Following this action, arm-'86 -is moved upwardly and due to the cooperation between surfaces 8'8 and' 96 and-springs' 92, member 11 is moved tothe right to engage the stop surface 9|.- lhe member 11 is thereafter elevated to cause the pin-s 8| to engage other feed perfora-e tionsv ilnthe tape 32 to achieve, on a subsequent cycle, relative movement between the sensing unit l2 and the perforated tape 32.V

Secured to the side brackets 68 are L-shape'd members |0|, and extending Abetween the l;- sliaped members |0`| is' a `pivot shaft |02 on which is mounted a plurality of bell crank'v levers |03. These bel-lcrank levers are individual to the sensing fingers 16. Each ofthe sensing fingers 16 is pivotally articulated to the extremity of the horizontal arm of its' respective bell crank levers |03 on a centerline substantially coincidentWi-tli the pivots 66,4 Each Yof the bell crank levers |03 -lfiasA a depending portion |04- (Fig. 1) cooperating with a pivotally mounted guide comb |05. Fastened 'to the vertical armv of each of the bell 'crank levers |03, at its extremity, is a retractile sl'njiri'g |06, which serves to rotate its respective "bell crank in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Figi.- 1) and to m'ove its associated sensing 1in-ger 16 vertically to sense the presence or absence of a perforation' in the tape 32. `If a perf foration is presented opposite a sensingnger 16,

said iirig'er'moves to itsfullest extent upwardly,

whereas if there is no perforation in alignment therewith, its movement is correspondingly 're stricted.

Guide comb |05 is provided at each end thereof with anges |01 through the instrumentality of which the guide combA |05 is pivotally supported on the shaft |02. Guide comb |05 normally tends to rotate in a clockwise direction about the shaft |02 by a spring H3. As disclosed `more fully in the affare-mentioned Lake patent, the rearward flange |01 of the guide comb |05 'is adjustably secures'k to ari ann of a -r-shaped lever |08 ung'. 1), also` mounted on the shaft |02. Arm |09 lon theV lever |08 cooperates Vwith a cam lll] (Fig. 3) for cyclically rocking the comb |05 about the pivot sha-ft |02 for a purpose to be described later. Arm of the lever |08 cooperates with a. pin I2 to limit the' clockwise movement of the comb |05 against the actionof its spring ||3 (Fig.

Also mounted on pivot shaft |02 are the bell crank levers for' `operating the rectilinear feed mechanism of the present invention-. For exam-ple,'rotatabl-y mounted on pivot shaft |02 is a bell crank lever I 4 (Figs. 5 to 8') which has one arm |5 pivotally articulated to member 11 of the rectilinear feed mechanism, and another arm v| i6 cooperating with the cyelically operated cam 89 to effect the vertically reciprocable movement of member 11. Also, pivotally mounted'on shaft |02 is a bell crank lever I8 having an arm 9 pivotallylconnected to member 86 ofthe rectilinear .feed mechanism, and an arm |21 carrying a fol- -iower foueta |i22 which Ycooperates with the cam l81; Bell crankl lever f| |4 is normally biased ooin Secured to the side frame 6| is a pin |26 which cooperateswith lthe insulated upper end ofY an electrical contact spring |21 which is included in the venergizing circuit of a clutch control magnet (notvshown) for governing the rotation of the main Yshaft |28 of the transmitter |3.

individual to each of the bell crank levers |03 is a bell crank lever |3| pivotedon a shaft |32. Levers. |3| are held in proper spaced relation by spacing washers (not shown) on shaft |32, and byaguide comb |33. Each bell crank lever |3| has a hook portion |34 at the Vupper end of its vertical arm which engages theginsulated upper end of a spring contact |35 and each of the latter cooperates with a companion contact spring |36, the pairs of contact springs |35 and |36 being mounted upon but insulated from a supporting bar |31 carried by the base casting |4. Each spring contact |35 tends to engage its companion contact spring |36 and also serves to hold a lug |38 on the horizontal arm of the corresponding bellerank lever 3| into engagement with the surface or periphery of a transmitting cam on a cam drum |39 serving as the signal transmitting cam assembly and forming a part of a cam sleeve Y| 4| y(Figs. 3 and 4) on th'e horizontal shaft |28 and extending over the horizontal arms of the bell crank levers |3|. The cam drum |39 is provided with a helical series of notches |42 which, as the cam drum is rotated, successively pass over thevertical lugs |38 of the bell crank levers |3|. As the corresponding recess |42 passes over one of fthe lugs |38, the associated switch contacts |35 land |36 will be closed, provided the horizontal 'arm'of the bell crank lever |3| is not restricted in lits movement by the bell crank lever |03, as will presently be described.

Also secured to cam sleeve |4| are cams 81, 89and H0. Cam 81 operates on 4cam follower roller |22 carried by the bell crank lever ||8 to move arm ||9, and, through it, arm 86. Cam operates on arm |09 of theA T-shaped lever |08 to rotate the guide comb |05 against the ten- Vsion of a spring ||3 to permit movement of the bell crank levers |03 by the action of springs |06 about the pivot shaft |02 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, and to permit the insertion of the sensing fingers 16 in the perforation of the tape 32 if a perforation is found thereover. During a subsequent portion of the cycle, cain||0 allows spring ||3 to actuate the comb 4|05, through which bell crank levers |03 are ro-v tated about the shaft 02 in av clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1 and thus withdraw the sensing ngers 16rfree of the; tape 32. VAs cam 89 rotates, it cooperates with arm I6 of the lever ||4 which, through arm ||5, reciprocates arm 11 to cause the tape feed pins 8| carried on lever 11 to disengage and engage successively the feed perforations in tape 32.

The particular Alnperation of the rectilinear feed mechanism for 'advancing the perforated tape v 32 through the sensing unit l2, or for causing the sensing unit l2 to move or travel along theperforated tape under predetermined conditions. of operation until it abuts the punch block of the perfrator, is illustrated in Figs. to 8, inclusive. The indicated gures of the drawings show the rectilinear feed mechanism in its several Vpositions of operation and V,will be described in the cyclic order of operation beginning with the normal stop position-shown in Fig. 6 and continuing through Figs. 7, 8, and 5. As disclosed in Fig. `6-,Nthe Vmechanism is in its normal or rest position wherein the cams 81 and ,89 are in their stopposition. Under such conditions, member v11 is in its uppermost `and right-hand position,

as shown in Fig. 6, wherein the pins 8|Y are in engagement with the feed holes in the tape. Also, the sensing fingers 16 are in their retracted position.

Upon the release of the cam sleeve, cam 81 rotates therewith and, through cam follower roller |22, lever ||8 Yis rotated clockwise about its pivot |02 to draw the arm 88 downwardly and thus move pin 85 downward between cam surfaces 88 and 96 of members 65 and 11, respectively, until the position shown in Fig. 7 is attained. In response to the downward movement of pin 85 and due to the fact that plate 65 is fixed, member 11 is cammed to the left Ato the position shown in Fig. `7, against the adjustable stop95. Thus, because of the engagement of the feed pins 8| with the feed perforations in the tape 32, the tape Will be advanced one step or a distance equal to the spacing between adjacent transverse rows of perforations in the tape. During such. operation, camV 89 does not impart movement to member 11, but the only motion imparted to member 11 is a counterclockwise motion imparted thereto by pin 85 in cooperation with surfaces 88 and 96.

Following the movement of member 11 to the position shown in Fig. 7, cam 89 becomes effective for moving member 11 through bell crank lever ||4,'downwardly until the position shown in Fig. 8 is attained. When in the latterrposition, the sensing fingers 16 hold the tape against movement and Vretain the tape in its advanced or stepped position. However, before the downward movement of member 11 is started, the sensing fingers 16 are permitted, under the influence of springs |06 and the release of comb |05, to rise and pass through the code perforations in the tapev 32, thus functioning to hold the tape against movement.` To preclude movement of the tape in theevent that no code perforations are found in the tape by the sensing fingers 16, two additional pins98 and 91 (Fig, 4) are provided which pressr (under the inuence of springs similar to springs |06) against each edge of the tape, a suitable backing being provided above the tape to cooperate with pins 98 and 91. The movement of pins 98 and 91 is also controlled by bail |05. While cam-89 functions, through bell crank H4, to draw arm 11 downwardly, cam 81 also functions, through bell crank ||8, to draw arm 86 (and hence pin 85) downwardly an additional amount in order to hold surface 93 of arm 11 against stop 95.

.Cam 81, thereafter, is effective to move the arm 86, through itsV bell crank lever I|8, upwardly, thereby moving pin 85, correspondingly, between surfaces 8S and 96, member 11 being biased toward member 65 by spring 92. By such action, and because of the cooperative relation between surfaces 88' and 96, the member 11 will be moved on its pivot to the right until the position shown in Fig. 5 is attained. Then, cam 89, through its bellcrank lever H4, moves member 11 vertically to the position shown in Fig. 6. It is noted that in Fig. 5, the tape sensing pins 16 ,are still in a position'to hold the tape against movement. However, in the position shown in Fg..6, the 'tape sensing pins 16 are withdrawn after the tape feed pins have engaged with the tape.

TheY operations just described in connection with Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, are repeated in the same cyclic order for each successive cycle of rotation of cam sleeve IlII. If, during the cycle of rotation of cam sleeve I4I just described, there has been no further operation of the key levers 5I, the sensing unit I2 remains in abutting relation with the plates I6 and |8 of perforator II. Pin |26 will have operated contact |21 to open same to break the circuit to the clutch control magnet of the main shaft |28 in the manner shown in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,262,012. However, if during the cycle of rotation of cam sleeve I4I, another key lever 5| or other key levers 5I have been depressed, tape 32 will be advanced through the operation of the feed wheel 36, in which case the tape 32 will be drawn through the sensing unit I2 by the action of members 'Il and 86 and the transverse rows of perforations in the tape 32 will be sensed successively and the impulses indicative thereof will be transmitted upon the rotation of the sleeve |4I.

If thekeyboard perforator is operated at a speed considerably faster than the speed f operation of sleeve I4I, the sensing unit I2 including the frame members 6I and 62 will be rotated to a position shown in Fig. 2 against a stop pin II, when a loop of tape as shown in solid lines in Fig, 2 will form between the sensing unit and the plates I6 and |8 of the perforator. As the tape feed pins 8| are operated in a rectilinear fashion, the tape 32 will be advanced through the sensing unit I2 step by step to present the transverse rows of perforations successively to the sensing fingers 76.

If there is a prolonged cessation in the operation of the perforator, while the transmitter I3 is still operating, the loop of tape shown in Fig. 2 will be consumed, and the tape between the sensing unit I2 and the exit channel of the perforator II will become taut, as indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 2. Under such conditions, the sensing unit will be advanced in clockwise direction about its pivots 68 along the tape 32. During such movement, the Successive rows of perforations will be sensed and the impulses indicative thereof will be transmitted through the rotation of cam sleeve I4I.

If, during the afore-mentioned movement of the sensing unit I2 in clockwise direction there is no operation of the perforator II, the movement of the sensing unit continues until it abuts the plates I 6 and I8 of the perforator. When in such position, theslast row of perforations in tape 32 will be sensed and the impulses identified therewith will be transmitted. Pin |28 will, in such position, engage the upper end of the contact spring |21 to open the contact to deenergize the electromagnet which controls the main shaft |28.

With the rectilinear feed mechanism herein described, all wearing surfacesv (as for example, surfaces 88, 9|, 93, and 96) are exposed and are thus readily accessible for machining purposes whereby extreme accuracy of manufacture can be attained. Also, with the adjusting means 95, the feeding motion imparted to the feed pins 8| can be accurately gauged.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with a specific embodiment thereof, it is obvious that it may be applied to other forms of apparatus without departing from the spirit trolling the movements of said tape pin carrier member and said wedging member relatively to produce a rectilinear movement of the tap pins, and means for varying the extent of reciprocability of said tape pin carrier to define the rectilinear movement of the tape pins.

2. In a strip feeding device, a xed member having a wedging surface, a movable member having a wedging surface, said members disposed in the same plane with said surfaces confronting each other, strip feeding pins carried by said movable member, means for biasing said movable member toward said fixed member, a wedging instrumentality interposed between said members, a cam for controlling said xed member, a cam for controlling said instrumentality, means cooperating with said cams for actuating both said movable member and said instrumentality reciprocably whereby a rectilinear motion is imparted to said feeding pins, and means for varying the extent of reciprocability of said movable member to denne rectilinear movement of the tape pins.

3. Apparatus for imparting step-by-step advancement to a strip having rows of telegraph signal indicia with a feed hole intermediate certain signal indicia comprising a member engageable with the feed holes in said strip, said member having a wedging surface, a fixed element disposed in the same plane with said member and comprising a wedging surface confronting said rst recited wedging surface, a wedging instrumentality, means for causing said instrumentality to cooperate with said surfaces for reciprocating said member longitudinally of said strip, means cooperable with said means for causing said member first to be moved free of said strip and then to engage said strip to consummate a rectilinear motion to said member, and means for varying the extent of reciprocatory motion imparted to said member to dene the rectilinear motion of said member.

4. In a strip feeding device, elements arranged in the same plane and having confronting wedging surfaces exposed for ready accessibility, strip feeding pins carried by certain of said "elements, a wedging instrumentality, resilient means for rendering said wedging surfaces cooperable with said instrumentality, cam means for operating said instrumentality and said certain 0f said elements to impart reciprocatory movement longitudinally of the strip to said certain of said elements whereby rectilinear motion is imparted to said feeding pins, and means for varying the extent of reciprocatory motion imparted to said certain of said elements by ,said cam means to define the rectilinear motion of said certain of said elements.

5. A tape sensing device comprising a plurality of members for sensing indicia on a record strip, a movable frame supporting said members, a rectilinear feed means for causing the movement of said frame comprising an element xed to said frame and an element movable reciprocably in said Aframe, said elements disposed in element and said wedging member whereby recthe same plane and having confronting readily tilinear motion is imparted to said feed means, accessible inclined surfaces, .means for biasing and means for varying the extent of reciprocasaid movable element toward said fixed element, tory motion of said feed means to define the reca wedging member also reciprocably .carried in 5 tilinea-r motion of said feed means. said frame and cooperably engaging said inclined MAURUS T. GOETZ. surfaces, cam means for operating said movable 

